たち
たち
suffix
plural marker (people)
1.
plural marker for people
A suffix attached to nouns referring to people to indicate plurality. Can also indicate a group including the named person.
子どもたちは新しい寝巻を買ってもらって喜んでいた。
The children were delighted to have new pajamas bought for them.
友だちたちと遊ぶ。
To play with friends.
私たちは日本人です。
We are Japanese.
私たち = we
田中さんたちが来た。
Tanaka-san and the others came.
Name + たち = the named person and their group
USAGE:
- Attaches to nouns referring to people
- 子どもたち (children)
- 学生たち (students)
- 私たち (we)
- 彼ら vs. 彼たち (both mean "they" but たち is softer)
NOTE ON NAMES:
- 田中さんたち = Tanaka-san and their group/friends/family
- This usage implies "the person and people associated with them"
WRITING:
Usually written in hiragana, but can be written as 達 in formal contexts.
SIMILAR SUFFIXES:
- たち - general plural for people
- ら - slightly more casual/rough plural
- 方 - polite plural (先生方 = teachers)